Who is part of our Community?
Source/Author: Raffi Darrow, Shorecrest News Editor
November 05, 2025
October is Fire Prevention Month - a time to raise awareness about fire safety. In their classrooms, kindergarteners learned what to do in case of a fire, including the classic “stop, drop, and roll.”
Shorecrest's Campus Safety & Security Coordinator, Shane Collins, invited Fossil Park’s St. Pete Fire Rescue team to campus, where firefighters arrived with their firetruck and gear to teach the students about their careers, their role in keeping our community safe, and fire prevention. After the visit kindergarteners reflected on what they learned by writing three-page booklets.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Casano’s first graders have been exploring the question, “Who is a part of our Chargers community, and how do they support my learning?” Each student selected a special person on campus to interview. So far they’ve met Head of School Nancy Spencer, Ms. Belen at the front desk, Cayce Cirino in The School Store, Kindergarten Teacher Ms. Leier, Band Director Esther Breier, Liz Daley in the Admissions office, and Khana Rebman ‘05.
Nancy Spencer shared, “The first graders inquired as to what I do all day. I showed them around my office; they tried on the varsity football state championship rings, and each student was thrilled to receive one of my Shorecrest Head of School business cards.”
Chargers alumna, Shorecrest parent, and third grade teacher Khana Rebman said, “Cohen interviewed me since I’ve served in more than one role for our school. I shared that I’m a third grade teacher, that I help create Chargers spirit as a coach of the Little Sparks cheerleaders, and that I support diversity and inclusion by helping everyone at the school feel included. They asked other questions, like how long I’ve been teaching and what my favorite foods are.”
When the first graders visited Band Director Esther Breier, they headed over to the band room across campus. “They were curious about what I was doing this school year since they hadn’t seen me around the Lower School as much,” Mrs. Breier shared. “We talked about the band program, the instruments students can learn, and when they can start playing. They even tried making sounds on a few mouthpieces before we sang some Halloween songs together.”
All first grades ventured out into the greater St. Petersburg community and visited a Publix grocery store. This was an initiative of the Ross Reeder Institute as part of the first grade financial literacy program.
They learned about jobs in our community, how to read prices, and the value of discounts and promotions. Students interviewed four Publix employees about their roles, then went on a scavenger hunt to find sale items or products under a certain price point.
